As a FitFluential ambassador, we will have opportunities to work and/or write for health & fitness brands. That EXCITES me! I want to show men & women of ALL AGES that it is worth it! I have done things wrong & learned from my mistakes & that is what it is about – never giving up! At 54 years old, I can speak from experience about the ups & downs, the hard times with 60+ hour work weeks, the age related changes & more. I feel I have what it takes to be a prime example for the many brands and companies out there looking to show people how health & fitness is doable and can be done with longevity!

I may not be the biggest loser, as they say, but I am a great example of how to lose AND maintain long term!

I have been living health and fitness for over 30 years. I have maintained & improved so I obviously know “how to do it”.  Brands, it is time to talk to me!  By the way, 24 Hour Fitness, I have been a member since 1982. What a great campaign to show members what can happen if you stick with it long term! Hint Hint!!!!

Well, I know you want to hear more, so here is my story!

I have been living the health/fitness life for over 30 years! There were times I did things wrong! My 30 plus years have taught me much including my motto – always learning & always evolving! My ability to learn over time & change things as I aged has allowed me to live this healthy life for this long. I intend to be at it well into old age or my grave as they say…. 

I lost my initial weight in high school after getting fed up with how I felt being overweight. It also took an emotional toll on me being teased about being fat when I was younger. Many can relate to this! Those feelings stick with us way too long and rear their ugly head when we least expect it!

I lost the weight at first by changing my eating habits. I stopped eating too much & too much of the wrong things. I was active in high school drill team but it was not like I was working out other than that. I went to school, worked & changed my eating habits.

In college, I kept some of it off but a few pounds landed on me due to a full schedule of school and working.

Once out of college, I joined a local women’s gym. Yes, they had them back then & I took advantage of it. I worked on getting better at eating & started working out regularly, including weights, which was not "in" for women 25++ years ago!

The thing was – I really was not eating right even though I thought I was eating right! I was eating based on what I heard other women say – salads & not enough protein & not enough healthy fat & TOO FEW calories!

I joined Family Fitness in 1982. They are now known as 24 Hour Fitness. I would take aerobic classes but I never stopped my love of lifting weights so I was still doing that as well – one of the few women in love with weights that I knew of back then.

In my late 20’s I began running & I started running 5K’s. I did well & even won & placed in my age group. All along, I kept weight training as part of my routine. When my knees started to bother me in my early 30’s due to the hard core running, I switched over to "NOT racing" but still running & cross training in the gym with other cardio machines – CROSS TRAIN - SO IMPORTANT!

Yes, you know this is coming – I still kept up the weight training. In my mid 30’s, a guy in the gym asked me if I ever thought about competing. Competing in what was my first thought? That is what lead me to train & compete in amateur bodybuilding in my late 30’s. I competed 2 years & won for my age group & overall both years! Even though I already loved lifting weights, I was now hooked forever. I love lifting! There is nothing like the feeling of being healthy & strong!

I now do a circuit training routine that many people half my age may have trouble doing! I mix it up with my cardio but also maintain a hardcore weight routine along with stretching & core work. I make sure I cover all the bases! I intend to be doing this in my 80's and 90's!  Taking care of myself and not relying on others as I age is important to me!

Every day is a new experience for me. I always want to allow myself to learn & improve & evolve & live this amazing healthy life long term. At 54, I look forward to helping others experience how wonderful this feels at all ages! I want to inspire young people to start early & see that they can maintain long term and I want to let older people know that IT IS POSSIBLE!

Who knows if anything will come of this BUT it does not matter. I am still very proud of all I have accomplished thru the years!

Thank you for reading & thx to my readers out there that inspire me every day! If you are interested in being part of the FitFluential team, click here!